Private Memory Table for Reduced Memory Coherence Traffic

ABSTRACT

A mechanism is provided for memory coherence in a multiple processor system. Responsive to a memory operation from a processing core of the multiple processor system resulting in a cache miss, the mechanism checks a private region table associated with the processing core. The memory operation attempts to access a memory region. Responsive to determining the memory region corresponds to an entry in the private region table, the mechanism performs a remote memory controller snoop of a remote memory controller without snooping the multiple processor system.

BACKGROUND

The present application relates generally to an improved data processingapparatus and method and more specifically to mechanisms for a privatememory table for reduced memory coherence traffic.

Cache coherence, also referred to as memory coherence, is an issue thataffects the design of computer systems in which two or more processorsor cores share a common area of memory. In a single processor system,there is only one processing element doing all the work and, therefore,only one processing element that can read to or write from a givenmemory location. As a result, when a value is changed, all subsequentread operations of the corresponding memory location will see theupdated value, even if it is cached.

Conversely, in multiprocessor (or multicore systems, there are two ormore processing elements working at the same time, and so it is possiblethat they simultaneously access the same memory location. Provided noneof the processors changes the data in this location, the processor canshare the data indefinitely and cache the data as it pleases. But assoon as a processor updates the location, the other processors mightwork on an out-of-date copy that may reside in its local cache.Consequently, some scheme is required to notify all the processingelements of changes to shared values; such a scheme is known as a “cachecoherence protocol,” and if such a protocol is employed the system issaid to have “cache coherence.”

The exact nature and meaning of the cache coherency is determined by theconsistency model that the coherence protocol implements. In order towrite correct concurrent programs, programmers must be aware of theexact consistency models that are employed by their systems. Whenimplemented in hardware, the coherency protocol can be directory-basedor employ snooping. Examples of specific protocols are the MSI protocoland its derivatives MESI, MOSI and MOESI.

Protocols incorporated in hardware have been developed to maintain cachecoherence, Many multiprocessor systems maintain cache coherence with asnoopy protocol. This protocol relies on every processor or memorycontroller monitoring (or “snooping”) all requests to memory. Each cacheor memory independently determines if accesses made by another processorrequire an update. Snoopy protocols are usually built around a centralbus (a snoopy bus). Snoopy bus protocols are very common, and manysmall-scale systems utilizing snoopy protocols are commerciallyavailable.

Alternatively, to maintain cache coherence across the system, adirectory-based protocol uses a directory that contains memory-coherencecontrol information. The directory, usually part of the memorysubsystem, has an entry for each main memory location with stateinformation indicating whether the memory data may also exist elsewherein the system. The directory-based coherence protocol specifies alltransitions and transactions to be taken in response to a memoryrequest. Any action taken on a memory region, such as a cache line orpage, is reflected in the state stored in the directory.

In addition, the system's memory is much larger than the total datapresent in the caches. The directory-based coherence protocol tracksonly memory regions (cache lines) that are present in one or morecaches, and does not have any information on the data that is presentonly in the memory. The absence of information in the directory impliesthat the data is not present in the cache.

SUMMARY

In one illustrative embodiment, a method is provided for cache coherencein a multiple processor system. The method comprises checking a privateregion table associated with a processing core responsive to a memoryoperation from the processing core of the multiple processor systemresulting in a cache miss. The memory operation attempts to access amemory region. The method further comprises performing a remote memorycontroller snoop of a remote memory controller without snooping themultiple processor system responsive to determining the memory regioncorresponds to an entry in the private region table.

In other illustrative embodiments, a computer program product comprisinga computer useable or readable medium having a computer readable programis provided. The computer readable program, when executed on a computingdevice, causes the computing device to perform various ones of, andcombinations of, the operations outlined above with regard to the methodillustrative embodiment.

In yet another illustrative embodiment, a system/apparatus is provided.The system/apparatus may comprise one or more processors and a memorycoupled to the one or more processors. The memory may compriseinstructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, causethe one or more processors to perform various ones of, and combinationsof, the operations outlined above with regard to the method illustrativeembodiment.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will bedescribed in, or will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in theart in view of, the following detailed description of the exampleembodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, as well as a preferred mode of use and further objectivesand advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an example diagram of a multiple processor data processingsystem in which aspects of the illustrative embodiments may beimplemented;

FIG. 2 is an example block diagram of a data processing system chip inwhich aspects of the illustrative embodiments may be implemented;

FIG. 3 depicts a mechanism for using a private region table to reducememory coherence traffic in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating operation of a mechanism for managinga private region table in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating operation for a mechanism forperforming a memory operation based on a private region table inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operation of a mechanism for privateregion table snooping in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating operation of a mechanism forperforming private region table entry migration through dynamic randomaccess memory in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating operation of a mechanism forperforming private region table entry migration from core to core inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrative embodiments provide mechanisms for a private memorytable for reduced memory coherence traffic. The overhead of managingmemory coherence in computer servers grows with the size of the system.Current multiple processor data processing systems, such as Power®computer systems, use snoopy-based protocols. Above a certain systemsize, snoopy protocols no longer scale due to bandwidth demands, and thebandwidth requirements of the directory-based coherence protocols scalesbetter than snoopy protocols. Replacing the current snoopy protocolswith a directory-based protocol would be expensive. Also, a memorycoherence directory may become very large as it scales with largermultiple processor systems.

The illustrative embodiments provide mechanisms for identifying regionsof memory that will not be shared but are not local to the processorusing that memory. The mechanisms allow the processor to circumvent thenormal coherence overhead for accessing remote memory when accessingthat memory region, while ensuring memory coherence is maintained.

Before beginning the discussion of the various aspects of theillustrative embodiments, it should first be appreciated that throughoutthis description the term “mechanism” will be used to refer to elementsof the present invention that perform various operations, functions, andthe like. A “mechanism,” as the term is used herein, may be animplementation of the functions or aspects of the illustrativeembodiments in the form of an apparatus, a procedure, or a computerprogram product. In the case of a procedure, the procedure isimplemented by one or more devices, apparatus, computers, dataprocessing systems, or the like. In the case of a computer programproduct, the logic represented by computer code or instructions embodiedin or on the computer program product is executed by one or morehardware devices in order to implement the functionality or perform theoperations associated with the specific “mechanism.” Thus, themechanisms described herein may be implemented as specialized hardware,software executing on general purpose hardware, software instructionsstored on a medium such that the instructions are readily executable byspecialized or general purpose hardware, a procedure or method forexecuting the functions, or a combination of any of the above.

The present description and claims my make use of the terms “a,” “atleast one of,” and “one or more of” with regard to particular featuresand elements of the illustrative embodiments. It should be appreciatedthat these terms and phrases are intended to state that there is atleast one of the particular feature or element present in the particularillustrative embodiment, but that more than one can also be present.That is, these terms/phrases are not intended to limit the descriptionor claims to a single feature/element being present or require that aplurality of such features/elements be present. To the contrary, theseterms/phrases only require at least a single feature/element with thepossibility of a plurality of such features/elements being within thescope of the description and claims.

In addition, it should be appreciated that the following descriptionuses a plurality of various examples for various elements of theillustrative embodiments to further illustrate example implementationsof the illustrative embodiments and to aid in the understanding of themechanisms of the illustrative embodiments. These examples intended tobe non-limiting and are not exhaustive of the various possibilities forimplementing the mechanisms of the illustrative embodiments. It will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the presentdescription that there are many other alternative implementations forthese various elements that may be utilized in addition to, or inreplacement of, the examples provided herein without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention.

The illustrative embodiments may be utilized in many different types ofdata processing environments. In order to provide a context for thedescription of the specific elements and functionality of theillustrative embodiments, FIGS. 1 and 2 are provided hereafter asexample environments in which aspects of the illustrative embodimentsmay be implemented. It should be appreciated that FIGS. 1 and 2 are onlyexamples and are not intended to assert or imply any limitation withregard to the environments in which aspects or embodiments of thepresent invention may be implemented. Many modifications to the depictedenvironments may he made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a pictorial representation of an example multipleprocessor data processing system in which aspects of the illustrativeembodiments may be implemented. Data processing system 100 may include anetwork of computers in which aspects of the illustrative embodimentsmay be implemented. Data processing system 100 contains nodes 110, 120,130, 140, each node connected to each other node 110-140 by buses 105,which may include connections, such as wire, wireless communicationlinks, or fiber optic cables.

in the depicted example, each node includes a plurality of chipscontaining one or more processors or cores. For instance, node 110 haschips 111-114, each connected to each other chip 111-114 by buses 115;node 120 has chips 121-124, each connected to each other chip 121-124 bybuses 125; node 130 has chips 131-134, each connected to each other chip131-134 by buses 135; and, node 140 has chips 141-144, each connected toeach other chip 141-144 by buses 145.

While the depicted example has four nodes, each having four chips, amultiple processor system may include more or fewer nodes or chipsdepending upon the implementation. In the depicted example, each chipmay have eight processor cores, resulting in 128 processors. However, amultiple processor system may include more cores per chip or more chipsper node, and the multiple processor system may include more nodes. Inone example embodiment, nodes may be combined into books, resulting inthousands or even tens of thousands of processors.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example data processing system chip inwhich aspects of the illustrative embodiments may be implemented. In thedepicted example, data processing system chip 200 is a system-on-a-chipin which a plurality of processor cores 201-204 are connected to systembus 220 via caches 211-214. Data processing system 200 includes memorycontroller 221 and input/output (I/O) adapters 222, 223 connected to bus220. Memory controller 221 provides access to memory 230. I/O adaptersmay be combinations of I/O controllers, such as Ethernet, serialattached SCSI (SAS), or peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe)controllers, for example. Buses 225 provide connections to other chipsor nodes.

An operating system runs on one or more of processing cores 201-204. Theoperating system coordinates and provides control of various componentswithin the data processing system 200 in FIG. 2. An object-orientedprogramming system, such as the Java™ programming system, may run inconjunction with the operating system and provides calls to theoperating system from Java™ programs or applications executing on dataprocessing system 200. As a server, data processing system 200 may be,for example, an IBM eServer™ System p® computer system, Power™ processorbased computer system, or the like, running the Advanced. InteractiveExecutive (AIX®) operating system or the LIMA® operating system. Dataprocessing system 200 may be a symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) systemincluding a plurality of processors.

Instructions for the operating system, the object-oriented programmingsystem, and applications or programs are located on storage devices (notshown), and may be loaded into main memory 230 for execution byprocessing cores 201-204. The processes for illustrative embodiments ofthe present invention may be performed by processing cores 201-204 usingcomputer usable program code, which may be located in a memory such as,for example, memory 230, for example.

A bus system, such as buses 105, 115 as shown in FIG. 1, may becomprised of one or more buses. Of course, the bus system may beimplemented using any type of communication fabric or architecture thatprovides for a transfer of data between different components or devicesattached to the fabric or architecture. A communication unit, such as amodem or network adapter (not shown), may include one or more devicesused to transmit and receive data. A memory may be, for example, mainmemory 230 or a cache such as caches 211-214 in FIG. 2.

one embodiment, each core 201-204 and its associated cache 211 make up a“chiplet.” For instance, processing core 201 may have an L1 cache (notshown), and cache 211 may be an L2 cache. The POWER8™ processor by IBMincludes combinations of 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 chiplets per chip. The chip200 may also include one L3 cache (not shown) that is shared by allchiplets on chip 200. Chip 200 may also have access to an off-chip L4cache memory (not shown).

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware inFIGS. 1 and 2 may vary depending on the implementation. Other internalhardware or peripheral devices, such as flash memory, equivalentnon-volatile memory, or optical disk drives and the like, may be used inaddition to or in place of the hardware depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. Also,the processes of the illustrative embodiments may be applied to amultiprocessor data processing system, other than the SMP systemmentioned previously, without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a mechanism for using a private region table to reducememory coherence traffic in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.Virtual machine (VM) 310, also referred to as a logical partition,requests remote data through virtual machine manager (VMM) 320, alsoreferred to as a hypervisor. VMM 320 maintains a private region table(PRT) 341 per processing core (or chiplet) 331 and a chip-level PRT 342per chip 330. PRT 341 and chip-level PRT 342 provide directed remotememory access to regions of memory that are private to VM 310 butlocated remotely. When VMM 320 allocates remote memory (i.e., memorythat is not local to chiplet 331 or chip 330) to VM 310, VMM 320 createsan entry in PRT 341 and chip-level PRT 342.

In one embodiment, VMM 320 performs a data cache block zero andinvalidate (DCBZI) operation on the whole memory region before placingthe memory in the free pool. The VMM 320 clears (zeros) the memory afterit is freed from a processor a partition. Current techniques requirebringing the data into the cache to clear; however, the data. is notimmediately used, which leads to cache pollution. In this embodiment,VMM 320 implements an instruction to zero a line of memory andinvalidate the line from caches. If the cache tine is in the localcaches, then it is invalidated. Then, the command is sent out on thesystem bus, and all processing cores treat the command as a data blockinvalidate. The memory controller or lowest point of coherence (LPC)also accepts the command. The LPC treats the command as a write of allzeros. Additionally, the command resets any coherence scope information.The end state of the DCBZI operation is that the line of memory is allzero and only exists on its home location (e.g., dynamic random accessmemory (DRAM) on the dual in-line memory module (DIMM)).

In one embodiment, the VMM 320 creates a PRT entry if the memorycontroller directory (MCD) entry indicates that the memory region isnode contained. Each node has local memory, and all the nodes haveaccess to the full memory (local and remote (belonging to anothernode)). VMM 320 performs virtualization and maps memory addresses to thephysical devices.

If node A accesses remote memory (i.e., memory attached to node B) andif the corresponding memory controller directory (MCD) entry for thatmemory region indicates that the region is node contained, it impliesthat all cache lines belonging to that memory region will be present, ifat all, only in the caches of node B, and the caches of the rest of thesystem need not be snooped at all for any cache line in that memoryregion. Therefore, checking for the presence of all the cache lines inthat memory region within only the caches of node B will indicatewhether any of the cache lines of that memory region is present in anyof the caches of node B. This mechanism is referred to as a “node walk.”On the other hand, if the MCD entry does not indicate that the memoryregion is node-contained, then all the caches in the entire system(i.e., all the nodes) will have to be searched to determine if any ofthem have any cache lines belonging to this memory region. Thismechanism is referred to as “system pump.” A node walk of the memoryregion is expensive but not as inefficient to doing a system pump foreach line in the memory region.

In one embodiment, the PRT 341 includes a cache line count to track thenumber of cached lines present for each region in the PRT, Thechip-level PRT 342 also tracks the same information as the chiplet-levelPRT 341. The chip-level PRT 342 is the victim PRT, which holds the PRTentries replaced from the chiplet-level PRT 341 due to spaceconstraints. This allows the VMM 320 to free an entry in the PRT whenthere are no longer any cache lines present in the memory region, whichenables replacement with a new entry in the PRT.

Each entry in PRT 341, which is associated with chiplet 331, includes atag (an address of the memory region tracked by the PRT entry), a size aregion can be 1 KB, 2 KB, or even a whole page), least recently used(LRU) information, and a count. The size is needed if variable sizeregions are supported. The LRU field tracks the time the PRT entry waslast referenced. The LRU (least recently used) field is used to choosean entry for replacement from the PRT in order to accommodate a newentry. The count indicates the number of cache lines in the region inthe local cache. PRT 341 may also include a VM identifier (VM ID) (orlogical partition identifier (LPAR ID)) or process ID when more than oneVM or process is associated with chiplet 331.

Chip-level PRT 342 receives castouts from the chiplet PRT 341. When thechiplet-level PRT 341 runs out of space, an entry (example LRU entry) iscast out and is saved in the chip-level PRT. The chip-level PRT 342 addsa chiplet ID field to identify the chiplet to which the memory region isassociated. The chip-level PRT is a second level table that holds thecastout entries from all the chiplet-level PRTs of that chip. Thus, thecombination of chiplet-level and chip-level PRT must be searched todetermine if the remote region is private. In general, in embodimentswith both a chiplet-level PRT and a chip-level PRT, the combination ofchiplet-level PRT and chip-level PRT may be referred to as the PRT.

If chip-level PRT 342 runs out of space, the LRU field is used to choosean entry of chip-level PRT 342 to be cast out. In one embodiment, theentry may be cast out to a node-level PRT (not shown). Alternatively,the entry may simply be removed and the memory region may no longerconsidered “private” for the purposes of the mechanisms of theillustrative embodiments. In this case, the mechanism may perform asystem pump as if the memory region were not private.

When a processor, such as the processing core in chiplet 331, performs amemory operation that results in a cache miss, the processor checks PRT341 to determine if the memory being accessed is part of a privateremote memory region. If checking the PRT 341 results in a hit, i.e.,there is an entry in PRT 341 for the memory region, the processor sendsa remote memory controller snoop. There is no need to snoop the rest ofthe remote chip or the rest of the system, because the memory beingaccessed is private to VM 310 and there are no other processors sharingthe memory region. If checking PRT 341 results in a miss, i.e., there isno entry in PRT 341 for the memory region, the processor performs thememory operation using snoopy coherence protocol.

A mechanism snoops bus 350 looking for invalidate notifications toinvalidate a PRT entry. Thus, if another processor performs a memoryoperation that results in a memory region no longer being private to VM310, the mechanism invalidates a corresponding entry in PRT 341. The PRTsnoop may be performed by logic associated with PRT 341, the processorin chiplet 331, VMM 320, or a background thread executing in VM 310. Inan alternative embodiment, the mechanism may split the entry into partsand invalidate only a part of the memory region. For example, each entrymay include a bitmask, wherein each bit in the bitmask indicates whethera portion of the memory region is private or not. For example, thememory region may be a page, and the bitmask may include a bit for eachcache line in the page. When all cache lines in the page are invalidatedand all bits in the bitmask are asserted (or de-asserted depending uponthe implementation), then the PRT entry can be invalidated.

The PRT 341 installs only under software control. If an entry is evictedor invalidated from PRT 341, there is no hardware based path toreinstall. The system attempts to achieve data locality; therefore, mostpartitions will use local memory. Only a few partitions need to use thePRT 341 and can spill to the chip-level table 342. Partitions using thePRT may still have local memory regions and may still access remotememory that is not private.

Virtual machines may be migrated from one core to another core. If a VMmigration takes place, it is important not to lose PRT entries. Thesystem may use a period of sharing in Which the two cores access thesame PRT. In one embodiment, the VMM migrates PRT entries/memory throughdynamic random access memory (DRAM). The VMM performs a data cache blockflush of all cache lines in all regions for the VM, flushing (writing)the cache tines back to DRAM. The VMM then migrates the PRT entries tothe new core (chiplet) or node.

In an alternative embodiment, the VMM migrates PRT entries/memorydirectory from core to core. The VMM sets a flag on all PRT entries forthe VM being migrated. The VMM installs the memory regions to the PRT ofthe new core with the flag set. The VMM then picks a memory region tomigrate. From the old core all the cache lines (if present in the cache)belonging to the region being migrated will have to be moved to the newcore. This mechanism is referred to as a region walk. The VMM issues adata cache block move to cache to inject the data into the new core.When done walking the region, the VMM invalidates the PRT entry in thefirst core and clears the flag in the new core. The processor snoops thenew core and the home memory controller on a cache miss when the flag isset. The VMM does not invalidate PRT entries on the original core forremote access from the new core. The VMM invalidates PRT entries on theoriginal core for local, non-DCBM access to the memory region.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may, be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like,and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the tatter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating operation of a mechanism for managinga private region table in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.Operation begins (block 400), and a virtual machine requests memory(block 401). The virtual machine manager allocates the memory to thevirtual machine (block 402). The virtual machine manager determineswhether the memory region is local to the virtual machine (block 403).If the memory region is not local, i.e., remote, then the virtualmachine manager installs the memory region in a private region tableassociated with a core or chiplet on which the virtual machine executes(block 404). Alternatively, if an entry for the memory region alreadyexists in the PRT and the VM caches anew cache line from the memoryregion, then the virtual machine manager increments the counter for theentry. Thereafter, operation ends (block 405). If the virtual machinemanager determines that the memory region is local to the virtualmachine in block 403, then operation ends (block 405).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating operation for a mechanism forperforming a memory operation based on a private region table inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment. Operation begins (block500), and a memory operation results in a cache miss (block 50)). Themechanism Checks the private region table (PRT) (block 502) anddetermines whether the memory being accessed is in a memory regionassociated with an entry in the PRT (block 503). If the memory region isin the PRT (a PRT hit), then the mechanism performs a node walk on theremote node containing the memory region to perform the memory access(block 504). Thereafter, operation ends (block 505).

If the memory region is not in the PRT(a PRT miss) in block 503, thenthe mechanism performs the memory access using the normal snoopyprotocol (block 506). The memory access using the normal snoopy protocolinvolves a “system pump” of the entire data processing system.Thereafter, operation ends (block 505).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operation of a mechanism for privateregion table snooping in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.Operation begins (block 600), and the PRT snoops the bus (block 601).The mechanism determines whether a hit occurs on the bus (block 602). Ahit occurs if another processor or virtual machine accesses the memoryregion. If a hit does not occur in block 602, then operation returns toblock 601 to snoop the bus.

If a hit occurs in block 602, then the mechanism invalidates thecorresponding entry in the PRT (block 603). Thereafter, operationreturns to block 601 to snoop the bus.

In an alternative embodiment, the mechanism may split an entry intoparts and invalidate only a part of the memory region. For example, eachentry may include a bitmask, wherein each bit in the bitmask indicateswhether a portion of the memory region is valid or invalid. For example,the memory region may be a page, and the bitmask may include a bit foreach cache line in the page. When all cache lines in the page areinvalidated and all bits in the bitmask are asserted (or de-asserteddepending upon the implementation), then the PRT entry can beinvalidated.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating operation of a mechanism forperforming private region table entry migration through dynamic randomaccess memory in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Operationbegins (block 700) when a virtual machine is migrated. The mechanismperforms a data cache block flush of all cache lines in all regions forthe virtual machine (block 701). The mechanism flushes the cache linesback to dynamic random access memory (DRAM) (block 702). The mechanismmigrates PRT entries to the new core or node (block 703). Thereafter,operation ends (block 704).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating operation of a mechanism forperforming private region table entry migration from core to core inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment. Operation begins (block 800)when a virtual machine is migrated from one core to another core. Themechanism sets a flag on all PRT entries for the virtual machine (block801). The mechanism installs regions in the PRT of the new core with theflag set (block 802).

Then, the mechanism picks a memory region to migrate (block 803). On theold core, the mechanism walks the region and issues a data cache blockmove (DCBM) to cache inject the data into the new core (block 804). Themechanism invalidates the PRT entry in the old core and clears the flagin the PRT of the new core (block 805). The mechanism snoops the newcore and the home memory controller on cache miss when the flag is set(block 806). The mechanism then invalidates the PRT entries on the oldcore for local, non-DCBM access to the region (block 807).

Next, the mechanism determines whether the memory region is the lastregion in the PRT for the virtual machine being migrated (block 808). Ifthe memory region is not the last region, then operation returns toblock 803 to pick the next memory region. If the memory region is thelast memory region in the PRT for the virtual machine being migrated inblock 808, then operation ends (block 809).

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved, It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The mechanisms of the illustrative embodiments provide hardwarestructures and software support to filter unnecessary snoops for remotedata accessed by a virtual machine (VM). The mechanisms reduce coherencetraffic for data that is private to the core or chip but locatedremotely. Cache misses for remote private memory avoid coherence and godirectly to the remote memory controller. The hardware structuresinclude a private region table (PRT). The mechanisms may include one PRTper chiplet or core and one chip-level PRT per chip. Each entry in thePRT corresponds to a remote region of memory that is private to a VM.The processing core performs directed remote memory access for thesememory regions. The virtual machine manager (VMM) detects private remotememory and installs entries in the PRT. The VMM also maintains free poolinvariant.

As noted above, it should be appreciated that the illustrativeembodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, anentirely software embodiment or an embodiment containing both hardwareand software elements. In one example embodiment, the mechanisms of theillustrative embodiments are implemented in software or program code,which includes but is not limited to firmware, resident software,microcode, etc.

A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing programcode will include at least one processor coupled directly or indirectlyto memory elements through a system bus. The memory elements can includelocal memory employed during actual execution of the program code, bulkstorage, and cache memories which provide temporary storage of at leastsome program code in order to reduce the number of times code must beretrieved from bulk storage during execution.

Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to keyboards,displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the system eitherdirectly or through intervening controllers. Network adapters may alsobe coupled to the system to enable the data processing system to becomecoupled to other data processing systems or remote printers or storagedevices through intervening private or public networks. Modems, cablemodems and Ethernet cards are just a few of the currently availabletypes of network adapters.

The description of the present invention has been presented for purposesof illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to bestexplain the principles of the invention, the practical application, andto enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand theinvention for various embodiments with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated. The terminology used hereinwas chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, thepractical application or technical improvement over technologies foundin the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art tounderstand the embodiments disclosed herein.

1. A method for memory coherence in a multiple processor system, themethod comprising: responsive to a memory operation from a processingcore in a first processing node of the multiple processor systemresulting in a cache miss, checking a private region table associatedwith the processing core, wherein the memory operation attempts toaccess a memory region stored in memory of a second processing node ofthe multiple processor system; and responsive to determining the memoryregion corresponds to an entry in the private region table and thememory region is node-contained in the second processing node,performing the memory operation on the second processing node withoutsnooping the entire multiple processor system.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising performing the memory operation using snoopy protocolresponsive to determining the memory region does not correspond to anentry in the private region table.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising performing the memory operation using snoopy protocolresponsive to determining the memory region is not node-contained in thesecond processing node.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein each entry ofthe private region table comprises a tag, a size, least recently used(LRU) information, and a count of cache lines stored in a cache of theprocessing core.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein a virtual machineexecuting on the processing core requests memory from a virtual machinemanager, the virtual machine manager allocates a remote memory region tothe virtual machine, and the virtual machine manager installs an entryin the private region table corresponding to the remote memory region.6. The method of claim 1, wherein the multiple processor systemcomprises a plurality of nodes, wherein each node comprises a pluralityof chips, wherein each chip comprises a plurality of chiplets, andwherein each chiplet comprises a processing core and a cache associatedwith the processing core.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the privateregion table comprises a chiplet-level private region table and achip-level private region table.
 8. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising: responsive to the chiplet-level private region table runningout of space, moving a selected entry in the chiplet-level privateregion table to the chip-level private region table and adding a chipletidentifier to the selected entry.
 9. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising responsive to migrating the virtual machine to a newprocessing core, migrating entries of the private region table to aprivate region table associated with the new processing core.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, wherein migrating entries of the private region tableto the private region table associated with the new processing corecomprises performing a data cache block flush of all cache lines in allregions for the virtual machine.
 11. The method of claim 9, whereinmigrating entries of the private region table to the private regiontable associated with the new processing core comprises: setting a flagon all private region table entries for the virtual machine; installingentries in the private region table associated with the new processingcore for the memory regions allocated to the virtual machine; for eachgiven memory region to migrate to the new processing core: walk thegiven memory region and issue a data cache block move to cache injectinto the new processing core; invalidate a private region table entryfor the given memory region in the private region table associated withthe old processing core; and clear the flag in the corresponding entryin the private region table associated with the new processing core.12-20. (canceled)